Luzunaris visits Allen at Steinbeck Elementary in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Earthquakes forward Matt Luzunaris visited Allen at Steinbeck Elementary School in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, in the third Amway Kicks for Kids event of 2011. In its third year of existence, Amway Kicks for Kids teaches local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.

A group of Allen at Steinbeck teachers gave a brief introduction and presented Luzunaris to an enthusiastic ovation. The group of 125 children welcomed the striker with a series of organized cheers and chants.

The Margate, Florida native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had during his childhood. He detailed his journey from an elementary school student to becoming a professional soccer player in Europe and America and stressed the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

During the question-and-answer session, Luzunaris went into the crowd to chat with Allen at Steinbeck students and then invited ten from the group to join him for a header contest. He made sure to outline the importance of outdoor activities over video games and watching television and related by using examples from his childhood.

To conclude the afternoon, Luzunaris signed poster schedules and Earthquakes staff handed out 125 replica jersey t-shirts and 250 tickets, courtesy of Amway, to the students for San Jose’s third home game of the season on Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium against Toronto FC. As the students exited the auditorium, Luzunaris gave each line of kids high fives.

The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create Amway Kicks for Kids in 2009. The program is in its third season in 2011. Through Amway Kicks for Kids, Earthquakes players will visit 17 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle.